Disclaimer: This is my blog and the opinions and views belong to me. All images are found on the internet and are believed to be part of public domain. All images posted are believed to be posted within my rights according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.) if credit for image is available, it will be posted with the associated photo. If you own the right to an image and would like for it to be removed please email tb.3296@gmail.com and it will be removed promptly. – Travis

It has happened to all of us in some way, shape or form! Even for this blogger, it has happened and at times still, does. Being fearful of your goals when you get to them or working towards them. It is not a negative thing it is just you being a tad bit self-conscious in a goal abiding way. Just follow me! You’ll understand by the end of this.

The Problem!

You: Well….what is my problem, Travis?

Me: Well….I’ll tell you because I gots love for you!

If you are in a panic state….CALM DOWN!!!! It is a problem many people face if not all. The problem is not you can’t accomplish your goals the problem could be one or more of these components:

Lack of motivation: Which can happen all the time or from time to time! “I don’t wanna!”

Fear of completion: That you’ll work and nothing will come out of it

Getting to the goal and not know what to do next: Yay you did it! But what is next?

Not understanding your goal: Do you know what is going on?

Those are some of the main goal fearing components that I see in this day and age along with my GENERATION! Those negative components go with all goals not just those big goals of a promotion at work or improvements of your finances. It could be anything such as you wanting to gain some weight (me) or creating/furthering your small business. Goals are goals no matter how big or small some are easily accomplished while others aren’t and that is just how it is! Just do not and I repeat do not fear those goals be prepared for those goals and grow/accomplish those goals folks! So with every problem, there is a solution so let’s get to those!

Problem Solving!

You: So what is my solution to my problem?

Me: Now, you are asking the real questions! You hold the solution I am just going to bring it out of you.

Since you’re calm now we can now figure out what to do about our goal fears! It’ll be hard at first but I have total confidence in you. So with those four I gave a few words ago here is the solution to them:

Find what truly motivates you: Maybe it’s the money or the passion that you have for that goal. Use that energy of DREAMING to DOING!

Work is work: You may think that work is in vein but little do you know you probably done set yourself up for something bigger and better.

Let’s not think of what is next: Let’s think about how you are going to grow that goal once you accomplish it! Completion = A Seed!

Understanding what it takes: All goals have a process you need to understand your process and ADJUST!

After reading this you have no excuse for being fearful of your goals! Goals are positive and not negative! It may take some time to achieve a goal but you can accomplish it. No goal is too big nor too small! Your goals are your goals and no one else’s only you can achieve em!

If you know me well you know that I’m in the military! It’s my pleasure to serve you just in case you were saying in your head, “Thank you for service.” As you already know the military deploys from time to time and I went on one…..to where you ask? The wonderful state of Montana of course! With my military uniform in my bag, I had to figure out what I was going to wear on our downtime (which we had a lot of)…..now the old me would have packed about 20 different outfits with 40 pairs of shoes. But I have grown up! So what did I do? I packed three outfits………….yes……only three. Crazy right? Not really! Listen to me folks…..when you travel only pack for what you know you are going to do!

I know I was going to be lounging around a lot so I brought primarily lounge around clothing…THAT CAN BE WORN WHEN GOING OUT JUST IN CASE I DID NOT WANT TO PUT ON ANYTHING “FANCY”!!!Versatility is the key here folks! Really, with three outfits you have 27…..here is the math. Three shirts, three pairs of pants, and three pairs of sneakers 3 multiplied by 3 multiplied by 3. Combinations folks! Here are the outfits:

#1 Loose As A Goose

#2 Feels A Little Tight

#3 Oh He’s A Que!

Now, do not get me, wrong folks, I am not saying you can’t bring a little bit of extra clothing with you like an extra pair of pants and shirt but no need to overload! One thing that I do when I travel if it is not dealing with the military I pack at least 3 to 4 full really nice outfits and wear another outfit on the way to my destination….which means I just plus my outfit arsenal by 1!

So what is my point exactly? With limited clothing at home or on a trip if you know how to mix and match what you have you’ve beaten a constant style challenge that some of the most fashionable continue to fight and at times can’t figure out! It’s a pretty simple message I know but some just don’t understand. Something that I have been preaching for years is that fashion is simply the clothing! The style is internal! Do not let the covers of these magazines, runways, and celeb fashion define you when it comes to style…..LET EM INSPIRE YOU!!!

I feel as though I am an Olympic track runner about to run a 100-meter dash. All my life I have waited for this opportunity and now it is here for me to take when the blank from that revolver goes off I am going to take off running…..no more prep…..this is all me. There is an issue, though….the revolver has not gone off yet! Why am I still waiting? So this whole analogy means what Travis?

PRETTY MUCH!!! While doing this internship last year all we would speak about is the renovation and how everything is going to be so nice and how I will be needed to do so much! So I prepared myself the best way to do it but everything just seems so frozen! Not saying that I am not doing any work at all but it is work that I created for myself, not for my supervisor. I am not complaining…well…I am a little bit. Probably, because I am so ready to put what I have learned in school into action. Such as what I learned in my PR classes! I know he is going to come to me…he is just a busy guy.

Until then I will keep with my prep work and maybe I will sneak out to the center and take some pictures of the demolition. *Puts on designer hard hat*

Y’all….my contract has been signed! So you must have not known….well for the class that this whole “series” is on we needed a contract to be signed to be officially in the internship even though I been working for it. So I was not worried about not getting my contract signed! Aside from that, though…..y’all I have been putting in some serious creative work:

My PR Skills: The little town where my internship is located it is kind of urban/rural so most folks aren’t interested in art. So it is hard to find the people who are…but we do have two college campuses so I am going to try to utilize those to make way to the overall community. If that makes sense! I think it does. *Calls marketing majors*

Social Media Skills: So one major aspect of my internship is social media and how I am going to use it to better the center’s image and increase the attendance of folks. Honestly, it is kind o hard due to me thinking of so many ways to document what is going on. For example, I could document only the renovations to building it up to the grand opening or just market heavily for the grand opening. So I am stuck between either posting a bunch of construction pictures to a grand opening picture or post the done results and the grand opening. You tell me what I should do?

But other than that y’all things are going well. I will be meeting one of the new executives soon so wish me luck that the conversation goes well. Even though I know it is…I mean it is me…TRAVIS!!!

An intern’s lifestyle at times can be a lifestyle of self-guiding! “What do you mean by that Travis?” is what you are probably asking and that is ok. Due to the fact of…..MY SUPERVISOR IS OUT OF TOWN!!! So now I sit here with my keyboard in hand trying to understand what is a little intern like me suppose to do. I’ll tell you what I am about to do….find some more work to do that pertains to my internship that is. As I finish up on some small projects I am almost starting to figure out my own. Projects that help the center out more than hurt it….even though it is under renovations. He is a busy man so what do I expect? For him to always be around by my side. No, not even a little bit! Oh lord! (Drake pun hopefully you caught it) At the same time though I will be out of town myself on a business trip so I will be guiding myself along the way to being productive still even though at times it will be challenging because I will be in Atlanta. I’ll find a way folks I promise. But I’ll be on standby folks when he gets back because when he does….oh buddy! I know there will be a meeting set up with not only us but one another special person. May I’ll give y’all the low down on that conversation. Oh and stay productive folks!

So you may or may not know that I Travis am an..INTERN!!!! Yes, I am I living the luxurious life as one. Now, I will not disclose the location but just know that I am doing some big stuff in my life. Since the spring semester has started I’ve been working on projects for my internship that range from art to how to better communicate my I guess you can say “employers” to the community. So with the young mind that I have, I’ve figured out some simple ways that I do not mind sharing that I am currently using:

Social Media: Yes, I know everyone says this but do you really know how to use it? For example, we have two college campuses and a town that from it looks like isn’t all that interested in art. BUT!!! Those two college campuses are along with they have art departments. Following students on campus will get you recognized and connected.

Getting Hip with The Times: Listen in this day in age you need a bomb website that is good on your phone and on a desktop! So simplify that website so people can truly navigate how you want them too.

PR (Public Relations) Is NOT Scary: Hello, folks PR is the almost the backbone of a successful business other than money! It is the small things that count. Customer service and giving positive vibes as a whole for a business makes everything so much better.

Overall, I can say this year is about to be something serious! With this place going under renovation and me helping out with the rebranding…. ZERO GAMES WILL BE PLAYED!!! May if authorized I’ll show y’all some stuff down the line.

Do not get me wrong here folks I am not bragging about my finances, not one bit. I do understand that some people may not agree with this post on the basis of…”Everyone does not have it like you, Travis.” Which I totally understand but just like them I do not have it like others! I have put in my work and will continue to do so.This is a simple post about how I feel when it comes to my generations finances and how they need to be better! Along with what can be done to have better finances. A lesson may be taught from this. Yes, you may have something that is above zero but do you know how to spend it? So you saying “I got money” will be “I had money” in a few right?

Within our generation and I am speaking for the 90s babies majority of us do not know how to save money or what to do it (from what I have seen). Unless it is something illegal (weed) or something that is not a must-have such as sneakers, then we will spend our money on that faster than we will spend it on buying a car or anything else that is deemed important. How do I know? At one point I was guilty of this and some of my friends were too. So who put me on point? My oh so wonderful mother also known as The Finance Bar. Some of us have grown out of it due to it happening within our younger years! “What are you getting at Travis?” is what you may be asking. What I am getting at is that….IT IS TIME TO GROW UP PEOPLE!!! It is time for us to grow our money! Yes, I know it can be hard. But are you willing to sacrifice? That is what it is all about. For example, if you do not know I am a military guy so I have spent overall maybe three months of time just dealing with military stuff. As a result, I did not see my friends and family, missed out on parties…I EVEN MISSED OUT ON MY UNIVERITY’S HOMECOMING AND WE HAD WALE THAT YEAR!!! Aside, from that when I was in high school I worked at Chick-Fil-A, and if I could help it I would work every day other then Sunday, of course, to make sure I had that extra cash. That was around the time I figured out how to pay for skip lines at parties. Yea, I am that guy….RIGHT UP INTO THE PARTY I GO!!! I refuse to wait outside and you should too. It was all because I saved and I am not the only one who has done it! I know plenty of people who put in that extra work and you can too. You wanna know what you can do? Let me tell you:

Limit your spending habit. A budget is always good to have.

Whatever you receive put 10% of it in your…SAVINGS ACCOUNT!! That is what it is there for… to save.

Know when to say “no” to outings. If you do not have it you do not have it. (Not having it does not mean broke it means that whatever it it does not fit within your financial goals)

If you work take up some extra shifts. Maybe another job if you are able to. There is nothing wrong with the “you are always at work” it’s because you are always at the bank. HA!! (College students finding an on-campus job saves gas and time)

If you are willing to make a time to sacrifice and commit, join the military either full-time or part-time. Unless your job calls for it….YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WAR!!!

Stop buying clothes for every single party! No one likes a broke socialite.

Illegal substances and alcohol you do not and I repeat do not….NEED THEM!!

Those are just a couple tips I do myself and they work for me. I have had those late nights and nights where I wanted to give up but you can’t. Use this year to get to those #lifegoals that you post on IG. Overall folks, it is time to put in real work which is sacrificing just a little bit. You will thank yourself and your bank account later!

Do not get me wrong folks…..I love the clearance section of any store but am I the only one that peeped that majority of them are quite weak now! Like back in the day in my middle school years and some high school years (I am a college junior now) it felt as though all of my little “fashion weirdness” dreams would be answered by the clearance section. Now, it feels as though those dreams have become nightmares for not only my outfit game but for my pockets too. Keep up with me on this! Like this man in the background…but I will be moving at the speed of Nicki Minaj!

So let’s touch one of my “favorite” mainstream stores that I want to low-key work at…Urban Outfitters (UO). For years I have shopped at this store through its good times and bad times I was always there. At that wooden desk with my little debit card praying that it goes through. Even though I would have a hand full of nothing but clothes that were past its season. No issue to me! I would run into that store and push everyone out of the way just to go through the many racks of clearance. I would find anything everything from jerseys to pants that actually fit me. I was so happy…..but as time went by the racks got smaller and the 50% clearance sale did not happen as often. So I went from running too fast walking to a slight shuffle into the back of this store. Now, the clearance section feels just as expensive as the main floor with lame clothing.

Why do I think that is? One, UO is one of the biggest hot spots now when it comes to Urban/Hipster clothing so of course prices are going to go up and things stay out a little longer on the sales floor. (My HBCU has taught me a little something-something.) Secondly, we are within an age of fashion where everyone has the talent to make something for someone. Well, let me not say everyone but majority of people and if someone does not have that talent they know some who does. I mean for me having my own clothing brand for this Christmas seasons people have dropped the mainstream stores and started shopping with me! So I cannot complain too much. Finally, people gotta save their money so UO along with other stores is trying to cut back on their losses.

What is to be taught from this?:

The 90’s baby age group has deaded the whole concept of being trendy just a little bit and trying to be smarter with our money. I mean let’s face it most of us are in our 20’s. We are going to leave all that expensive stuff to the 2000’s babies.

Mainstream stores are starting to lose their audiences that they have been supporting them for years. (Another example: American Apparel)

D-I-Y (Do It Yourself) or LSDI (Let Someone Do It) I made the second one up but besides that those are the two ways to go as of right now. If someone can make you something that is custom to you for just a couple of dollars extra or same price as store stuff you are more willing to get it. Which makes sense. Along with DIY stuff if you can do it…..why buy it? I mean let’s be real if you know that you can make your own “Yeezy” Season hoodie or your own clutch why buy it?

As a college student owning a small business things can get pretty hectic. I mean the balance between mid-terms along with finals and creating a new collection and gathering the new art and paying folks on time…sounds easier said than done. But there are some things that this small clothing brand owner has learned over the years.

Using What You Learn in Class towards Business

Due to me being a mass communications major and a psychology minor I learn a few things that I put towards my business. For example utilizing thirty seconds and at times keeping things simple to show off a bigger picture….if you get what I am saying. For example, the pop up shop event that my brand hosted I utilized simple colors and a simple background for the flyer instead of clogging it up with unnecessary things. Due to me learning in my psychology class that you if you give the mind too much to look at it will stop paying attention and move on to something else. Along with learning in my mass communications class if you present something that has too much going on the public will not know what you are promoting. (Oh and yea that was my event in the featured image section)

2. Utilizing your University

Being a student you meet many…..many….many…many….many people (plus my school is beside another HBCU) so I know a lot of other students. Which means I have nothing but talent around me and other African Americans who have the ambition to work hards for their ending goals in life. So when it comes to art I will see if a student can do it or when I need pictures taken I’ll try to find someone on campus who does photography. Majority of the time if the person is just starting out they may charge you (small fee) or run you the free ninety nine special. No matter what it is you will feel better helping someone out and building them while they help build you.

3. Your Campus Is Your Support System (No Matter if you Mess up)

When I became an official student of Claflin University I did not know what to think when it came to my business due to it being based so heavily in Charlotte, North Carolina but…..after a few conversations with some students who have some social pull within my school. The whole campus opened their arms to my business and said “come on it there is more than enough room for you” so that is when my brand began to get invited to show in events on campus. Overall, folks wanted to buy my stuff. My campus became my major support system along with one of my biggest marketing tools….like let’s not forget everyone is going home with my stuff and when they wear it hope their friends are asking where they got it from….but I cannot tell y’all all of the secrets.

4. Knowing How to Budget that Small Bit Of Money

So as college students for funds at some point may be slow! Even though I have some income streams there has been times when….something was not adding up money wise. With that money I am receiving I am able to still have the nights where I want to eat some unhealthy Cook Out but still be able to pay the monthly fee for my website among other things such as restocking on shirts and hats. I have had to scale back and eat majority of my meals in the cafe and not once step foot off campus to a fast food…all in sacrifice for my small business.

5. Friends Will Help You No Matter What

Do I hear free volunteer work and creative advice? Yes, I do. My close group of friends help me out more ways than one. They even purchase everything that they own of mine and never ask for anything for free. Along with if I send them an idea they will tell me in the most blunt way…..”Travis that is ugly we need something better.” Due to the fact of they all have creative minds like me. If you do not have that within your group of friends there is someone who can give you advice. Along with any events I work they are more than willing to help me run my table at no charge….or they may just want some food or a simple milkshake. Your real friends will help and support you with anything just make sure you do the same for them.

Overall, my experience with owning my business has been quite positive. There are days where things do not look the best but I know that I can and will turn it around and make it something amazing! So for all of my college students it may seem difficult to own a business and be a college student but once you get things down packed and know what you are doing things will become second nature. Stay blessed!

As y’all may or may not know I am contributing editor for the Odyssey for my school and some of my post will be from there! This is one of them because I felt like it was so good that it needed to be shared on my personal blog. Enjoy!

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Either two things are going on in your life! You are either returning back to your college campus or you are about to begin your college career. Back to the 8 o’clock classes, rushing to your cafe to eat five minutes to eat before your next class, and saying “Can you explain that again?” because you were not paying attention or you are catching a Jigglypuff in Pokemon Go. Either way, you are ready for higher education. You are financially cleared which means you have completed your obligations financially (tuition that is) along with being academically cleared which means you have created a good enough schedule to where you are able to take your mid-day cat naps.

So with all of that, how are you going to do app wise when it comes to school? Well, Instagram really is not a educational app unless you are at reading up on some news on a news channel page. Snapchat is not educational completely even though it has little articles you can read and know what is going on. “So what needs to be downloaded Travis?” is the question you are asking me. Well, I am here to tell you. These five apps that I am about to expose to you are apps that I use myself on a daily basis and all of these help me in my success at school! Here it is: (All of these apps are free and are open to iOS and Android devices)

1. Sleep Cycle (Sleeping)

First, I have to start with making sure that you are getting the right amount of sleep. If you did not know college students need up to seven to eight hours of sleep each night so those four to five hours you are getting do not cut it. So how does it work? Sleep cycle alarm tracks your sleep pattern by way of microphone or motion. It wakes you up when you are at your lightest sleep so the grogginess is not there! Almost waking up naturally with without an alarm clock. If you know anything about sleep other than closing your eyes you would know that the first state of sleep is light sleep then deep sleep and finally a dream state (REM-Sleep). A full cycle lasts around 90 minutes and is repeated many times each nights. It is available for Apple and Android devices. For more information head over to:https://www.sleepcycle.com/how-it-works/

2. Pocket Schedule (Scheduling)

For any college student majority of the time there is always some class work to do right? Right. So you need to keep up with it so Pocket Schedule is what does that for you not only does it track your classes not only the time but the place and professor but you are able to place each assignment and the due date within that class. You may not know off the top of your head if you have free time but if you check this app and you have placed all of your classes within the app you know exactly how free you are. So yes, you do have time to eat in the cafe now. Plus it keeps you alert of when your next class is and assignment. For more information head over to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-schedule-cl…

3. Dropbox (Storage)

This..this…this…right here…right here has been one of the biggest college career savers! Here is the scenario I had a presentation that was due I had finished it a few days before and was editing it as usual and had to present it. Presentation day comes and I forgot my USB that the PowerPoint was on…tragic, I know! But I remembered that I uploaded it to Dropbox so I log on a computer and logged into my Dropbox via the website and boom there it was ready to presented. Bottom line is it is traveling storage i.e “the cloud.” I have this app on all of my devices from my phone to my iPad. It is free unless you want to upgrade your memory but for an average college student you will need what they give you and that is all. For more information head over to: https://www.dropbox.com/

4. Evernote (Notetaking)

I know you have seen the little elephant that is surrounded by almost a light green color and I think it started off just as a sticky note thing but I digress. The interface is very clean and straight to the point which all students are looking for we do not want too much on one screen we will get confused and uninstall just as quick as we leave after a test. Agendas can be created, files can be attached, reminders can be set, and to-do list can be made. But the main feature is the note taking as of right now Evernote does does not have a storage limit right now but it does limit users to upload 60 MB per month. Plus it has a camera feature where you can take pictures of whatever you like and document it like a business card. For more information head over to: https://evernote.com/?var=1

5. Mathway (Math)

As you may see I am quite good at english and other things of that nature but math will never be a strong point of mine. I understand the basics but once you add the letters and extra symbols you have lost Travis so this is why this app is great! Mathway is simply a calculator that solves any all problems. Using this app within my math not only gave me the answers to questions but helped me understand math better. Even though this app may be a one semester or year app but for those math majors who are reading this go ahead and download it. It will makes things easier for you.

That is it! These apps will help you succeed within your college years stick with em and use all that they have folks!